RSC to auction off David Tennant’s trousers

David Tennant’s trousers, doublet and hose worn by Judi Dench and Ian McKellen’s coat are among more than 50 costumes being auctioned online by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The RSC is holding the auction to raise money for its Stitch in Time campaign, which is supporting the restoration and redevelopment of the company’s costume workshop.

The black dress trousers worn by David Tennant, when he played Hamlet in 2008, will be put on eBay, alongside doublet and hose worn by Dench in the RSC’s Shakespeare Live! in 2016 and a red floor-length coat McKellen wore as King Lear in 2007.

Throughout a 10-day period between April 17 and April 27, 54 RSC outfits dating back to 1970 will be auctioned on eBay.

Other costumes in the sale include items worn by Simon Russell-Beale, Susannah York, Alex Hassell, Patrick Stewart and Anita Dobson.

All costumes will be listed with costume measurements and a certificate of authenticity.

The Stitch in Time campaign is aiming to raise £3 million towards the costume workshop, with £1.8 million left to raise.

The £8.7 million plans for the overhaul will see the current premises – which is the largest in-house costume-making department in British theatre – transformed and expanded by 70%.

Work is due to begin this summer.

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